You are not alone

Image Source- I Love This Pic

So this is my last post for the next couple of days as it is Christmas Eve. A time for joy, family and happiness.

Sadly, not everyone experiences this at Christmas and for some, this time can be a dark and lonely time or a time when emotions such as depression can be heightened.

You may be one of those people. You may have come across this blog post by chance, or someone may have forwarded it to you to read, I have posted it for the last few years along with a few other bloggers such as Kelly from BigFashionista.

Consider it fate.

I don't want you to feel alone this Christmas.

I don't want you to feel depressed or lonely.

If you feel that you have hit rock bottom and you feel empty inside, If you can see the lights twinkling in other peoples windows, hear the laughter of your neighbours and yet you experience no joy, as if the world is a dark place in which you see no place for yourself any more.

Or if you feel that you are ready to make a change.

I want you to pick up the phone......................

MIND
Website www.mind.org.uk
Tel No 0300 123 3393

Samaritans
Website www.samaritans.org
Tel No 116 123

Rape Crisis

Website http://www.rapecrisis.org.uk

Tel No 0808 802 9999

Women's Aid

Website https://www.womensaid.org.uk/

Tel 0808 2000 247

Alcoholics Anonymous
Website www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Tel No 0800 9177650

Stonewall
Website www.stonewall.org.uk

SANELine
Website www.sane.org.uk
Tel No 0300 304 7000

Papyrus, Prevention of young suicide
Website www.papyrus-uk.org

Galop - the LGBT+ anti-violence charity

Website http://www.galop.org.uk/

Tel No 020 7704 2040 / 0800 999 5428

National self-help body for the Transgender community
Beaumont Society
Website http://www.beaumontsociety.org.uk
Information Line 01582 412220

Childline
www.childline.org.uk
0800 1111

Depression Alliance
Website www.depressionalliance.org

Refuge
Website www.refuge.org.uk
Tel No 0808 2000 247

Beat
Beating eating disorders.
Website https://www.b-eat.co.uk
Help line 0808 801 0677
Youth Line 0808 801 0711

Shelter
Website www.shelter.org.uk
Tel No 0808 800 4444

NHS Direct
Tel No 111

No Panic
Website http://www.nopanic.org.uk
Tel No 0844 967 4848
Youth helpline 0330 606 1174

If you need someone, please call one of these numbers. You are NOT alone over Christmas, there are people out there that care, I care. The fabulous Sarah Millican is doing #Joinin again on Twitter this year for anyone starting to worry about being alone/lonely on Christmas Day, If you don't know what it is, it's a hashtag we use to connect all of those who could do with some company. Join in for #joinin.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Super Beauty Bath Fizzers

It is a well known fact by now (I hope) that I love a good hot bath.  For me it is all about relaxation, forgetting about my worries and troubles, continuing to read a good book and just having some me time.  

Bath bombs, fizzers, ballistics or whatever you like to call them now come in all shapes, sizes and scents and I was kindly sent some Super Beauty Bath Fizzers to try.  Described as being products which are with the finest superfoods around so you can feed your skin exactly what it needs, I couldn't wait to give them a try.

The first thing to note is how brightly coloured the packaging is and that each box contains not one but three bath bombs.  

Feel the fizz and stimulate our senses with these deliciously fragranced Bath Fizzers.  A gentle burst of sweet fruitiness to cleanse your skin and help leave it irresistible and gorgeous.

I have been slowly working my way through each of the bath fizzers and of course any excuse to have a bath in the run up to Christmas when shoppers are flooding supermarkets panic buying loaves of bread and milk when all you want is some Pink Gin and not to have to queue for three days, sounds pretty good to me.

In the first packet the three bath bombs are Mango, Lemon and Strawberry and all three of them are fragranced so beautifully and not at all synthetic and it is worth mentioning that they are paraben free.  Mango reminds me very much of the Mango body butter from The Body Shop - very fruity with a lovely sharp fresh scent.  Lemon is sharp and Strawberry which is my least favourite scent when it comes to anything bath related, is actually rather pleasant.

In the second box there is Coconut, Vanilla and Pineapple bath fizzers.  For me, I adore the coconut scented one, it is very coconut like and smells just incredible once it comes into contact with the water.  Vanilla is the one I will hand over to the mister to use because as a scent, I am not a fan of anything overly Vanilla scented it gives me a headache so I stay clear of it.  Pineapple, which is a work colleagues favourite scent has been gifted to her and she absolutely love it and has been and bought a box for herself.

Far from being overpriced and overhyped, a box of three bath fizzers costs only £4.99 but if you are quick and get to Boots they are on offer for just £3.33 (here) and they are well worthy of their price tag and of course they would make a great stocking filler for anyone you still have left to buy for, a bath fanatic (like me) or just because you feel you deserve some down time, me time and some relaxation.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

THE ROCCABOX ULTIMATE GIFT BOX

The Roccabox Ultimate Box landed on my doerstep a few days ago and it is no only a limited-edition beauty hamper it is absolutely massive and contains 14 pamper products. Worth more than £60, this is a one-off purchase, not available as a subscription and is priced at just £35 here.  

Everytime I think I have found every product within the box, another one appears, so having (I think) finally found absolutely everything inside, this is what

Coconut Lane Rose Gold Marble notebook (Full size RRP £4.50) - I think absolutely everyone needs notebooks, I have quite a few stashed around the house and on my desk at work and this one is just beautiful

Spacemask Full Size RRP £3 - I did a whole post on Spacemasks (here) and in short I asolutely love them. If you need to chill out for 20-30 minutes, need an excuse to not procrastinate on Pinterest when you should be sleeping, then you need to try these masks!

Beefayre Winter Garden candle Full Size RRP £18 - With a burn time of approximately 50 hours, this candle is hand poured 100% natural plant wax and it is housed inside in glass holder with metallic sliver flower and bee print. The scent is incredibly divine and it comes from sweet earthy fresh figs, with top notes of grape and vanilla.

Blank Canvas Quick Brush Full Size RRP £14.59 - I am a huge fan of Blank Canvas brushes and this one is Brush F01 and it is a multi-purpose face brush which is handmade from extra soft, high quality anti-bacterial, easy to clean synthetic fibres, this brush is also vegan friendly.

Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in Driver’s Seat Sample size - This beauty appeared in the August Roccabox and I love the shade. It is described as being an 8-hour, liquid matte lipstick that’s specifically formulated to be comfortable and not dry out your lips. Once applied it literally does not budge, feather, bleed or transfer, really comfortable to wear. (Full size RRP £19)

St.Tropez Self Tan Express Face Sheet Mask Full Size RRP £8 - Within the sachet you get one mask and it is described as being a revolutionary tanning infused Face Sheet Mask is the easiest way to tan your face- for a natural, healthy glow to suit your skin tone. Fake tan products still scare me, but I am intrigue by this.

Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads Sample Size (Full size RRP £13) - I really like these and they are great for taking away with you given the size. These pads are soaked in Glycolic Acid to exfoliate and retexture the skin to reveal that brighter, smoother complexion and with added Hyaluronic Acid to give thirsty skin a moisture boost and dewy glow.

Soap & Glory Mini Rushower Dry Shampoo 50ml RRP £2.50 - Described as having Friction-activated TOUCH-RELEASE™ technology which gives your hair a gorgeous burst of mandarin rose and bergamot and in true Soap and Glory style, it smells just incredible

Burt’s Bees Cleansing Oil with coconut and argan oil Sample Size - This is a product I already know and absolutely love. Formulated with a unique blend of natural moisturisers, including Coconut and Argan Oils they not only gently remove dirt, grime and makeup, it also helps to keep your skin soft, clean, and beautifully nourished without leaving an oily residue.(Full Size RRP £16.99)

Bliss Fabulous Make-Up Melt Gel-To-Oil Cleanser Sample Size (Full Size RRP £24) - I haven't tried many Bliss products and this one is new to me completely. Described as being a product which gently removes make-up, surface oil and dirt and has a unique formula that transforms from a gel to a lightweight cleansing oil on application.

Milani HD Advanced Lip Colour in Candy Apple Full Size RRP £4.99 - This is a first for me with Milani, a brand I have my sights set on to try out. Candy Apple is described as being a True Red shade and the description is that it is a 3-in-1 lip colour that nourishes, hydrates, and delivers a sheer wash of colour with clarity and perfect radiant shine. It instantly comforts dry, chapped lips, and provides long-term moisturisation.

Omorovicza Deep cleansing mask Sample size (Full size RRP £60) - One of my favourite brands and an amazing product. Using Hungary's famous healing waters and mineral infused muds from the thermal Lake Héviz and it is rich in calcium, magnesium, zinc and copper, and it actively re-energises and brightens skin, evens tone, matifies shine and draws out impurities.

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser Sample size (Full size RRP £35) - Described as being a gentle but efficient exfoliator, it works in two ways by dissolving dead skin cells and renewing the skin's texture. Using salicylic, lactic and glycolic acids to encourage clarity and brightness by dissolving skin cell build-up; jojoba beads to further polish and re-texturise the skin; sodium PCA and jojoba seed oil to help counteract dryness; and liquorice extract to provide anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory properties to your skin. What I like about this cleanser is how gentle but effective it is on the skin.

Bloomtown Botanicals Roll-on Infused Oil, The Rose Garden, Full size RRP £4.80- Described as being a Romantic Floral, these oils are infused with nourising oils. The Oils nourish skin without clogging pores, perfect for smoothing dry patches and applying to split ends.

That is absolutely everything from the box and it is quite an incredibe collection of products, all of which come together to create quite the pampering package to have you looking and feeling good from top to toe and relaxed!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Getting Rid of a Verruca for Good

Most people get a verruca at some point in their lives. It is one of the most common foot problems. These small lumps of hard skin are actually warts. To be precise, plantar warts and they are pretty painful. Typically, they appear on the ball of the foot, which is a weight bearing area. This is part of the reason they are often so painful. 

A new way to treat verrucas

When it comes to treating verrucas there are several options. Unfortunately, not all of them are that effective. However, there is a new approach that has a very good clear up rate. Currently, it is available from Northwich Foot Clinic and a few other treatment centres.

Treating verrucas with microwave energy

The new verruca treatment method was developed in the UK and podiatrists in that country are now licensed to use it. Instead of using salicylic acid or cold sprays, this new method makes use of microwave energy. The energy is delivered via a wand that is held by the practitioner. They can calibrate the equipment to make sure that exactly the right level of power is delivered. This ensures consistency. 

Microwave energy has been used in clinical settings for over three decades now, so it is considered safe. In some countries, it is used to treat certain types of lung, liver, breast and kidney cancer. For example, in Japan, this technology is used in the treatment of some forms of liver cancer.

How microwaves kill off the verruca

When the microwave energy is delivered to the verruca cells heat is generated as the water molecules collide. This highly, localised energy quickly kills the infected tissue. 

The microwaves penetrate fast and go deep enough to destroy all of the infected tissue and verruca cells. Acids and freezing can be effective, but they work at a slower rate. The acids have to slowly work their way through the layers of the verruca and cold sprays only penetrate so far. Sometimes, it feels like the planter wart has gone, when in fact there are a few rogue cells left that gradually grow into another verruca.

A high first time clear up rate

Usually, with the microwave system only one treatment is needed. To date, most practitioners report an 80% clear up rate. This is the case, even with stubborn verrucas that have not responded to other forms of treatment. If one treatment does not work, having one further microwave session is usually enough to get rid of it for good.

Other advantages of microwave energy verruca treatments

The treatment can be delivered in seconds, so it is something you can easily get done during your lunch break. It is virtually painless. Naturally, it stings a bit when the area heats up, but most people find it no more painful that the acid or cold spray treatments. As a result, no anaesthetic spray is needed. Last, but by no means least, you can walk as normal immediately after treatment. So, you can easily go back to work.

Stop yourself from picking up more verrucas

Once you have had your verrucas treated, you will want to avoid getting anymore. You can read about how to do this, by clicking this link.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here